007 News

There are a lot of folks pushing for Idris Elba to be the next James Bond (after Daniel Craig passes it up). Maybe it’s his English accent or his confident swagger, or maybe it’s because he would be the first black James Bond in the franchise’s 60 year history, either way he’s got quite a following of fans who would pay to see him starring as infamous 007.

But Elba has been cryptic in his responses to such a request. His latest tweet, a response to more publications dwelling on the possibility of him starring as Bond, was simply “Don’t believe the HYPE…”

He also teased fans the same day with the words “My name’s Elba, Idris Elba,” referring to the famous Bond quote “My name is Bond, James Bond.”

Why all the hype? Elba has dedicated fan base, much of which was revealed when the actor was stiffed out an Academy Award Nomination for the Netflix Original Beasts of No Nation. (He was, however, nominated for Golden Globe Award for Best Performance in a Supporting Role by an Actor for the film.)

And, it would seem many Bond fans are reluctant about Daniel Craig starring in Bond 25 after promising he would never do another Bond film after Spectre,

The next James Bond film will be directed by Oscar-winning director Danny Boyle (Slumdog Millionaire). The film will be the 25th in the Bond franchise, not counting non-EON titles. Presently referred to as ‘Bond 25,’ the movie is scheduled for release in November, 2019.

This will be fifth Bond film that Daniel Craig will star in, following Casino Royale (2006), Quantum of Solace (2008), Skyfall (2012) and Spectre (2015).

“We couldn’t be more thrilled than to bring the next 007 adventure to the big screen, uniting the incomparable Daniel Craig with the extraordinary vision of Danny Boyle.” said MGM board chairman Kevin Ulrich.

Boyle and Craig previously worked together on a short film for the 2012 London Olympics. Oscar-nominated John Hodge (Trainspotting) is writing the original screenplay for Bond 25.

After Sony’s rights to the James Bond franchise ended with Spectre in 2015, it has been uncertain who may pick up the brand for future generations. Warner Bros. has been the front runner (and the most logical suitor), two unlikely possibilities have emerged: Amazon and Apple.

Sources told The Hollywood Reporter the two companies would be willing to pay at least or more than Warner Bros. is proposing. Both companies may see the franchise as virtually “untapped” beyond the movie space. For example, sources indicated Apple would be looking to take Bond to television, a space where many brands and services are thriving at this point in time.

An insider told the ‘Reporter’ the franchise could be valued anywhere between $2B and $5B, the lower number being slightly larger than the average NFL team (at about $2.4B).

There have been quite a few comic book series based on the James Bond character and franchise, but Bond girl Moneypenny has never had her own. Comic book publisher Dynamite has released a “one shot” of their James Bond series featuring Moneypenny in a never-before-told mission in which she discovers plans for an attempted assassination/terrorist plot.

The issue was written by Jody Houser and illustrated by Jacob Edgar, with a street date of Weds., Aug. 30, 2017.

Synopsis:

By writer JODY HOUSER (Mother Panic, Faith) and new artist JACOB EDGAR, a never-before-told mission starring MONEYPENNY, friend of JAMES BOND, former MI6 field agent and bodyguard of M! On a ‘routine’ protection mission, Moneypenny discovers a complicated assassination plot that bears a startling resemblance to a terrorist attack from her childhood. Can she call upon her secret agent skills to stop the plot…?

Moneypenny first appeared in Dr. No (1962) and is the private secretary of MI6 director M. In EON-production Bond films, Moneypenny has been played by Lois Maxwell (1962–1985), Caroline Bliss (1987–1989), Samantha Bond (1995–2002) and Naomie Harris.

What do you think? Should Moneypenny be considered for her own book at least a mini-series? Maybe read the one-shot first and see what you think. Some of the pages are pasted below.

According to sources on Sunday, Aug. 6 Daniel Craig has had a change of heart and will star as 007 in the next James Bond movie. “Bond 25,” as it’s referred to, is scheduled to begin shooting in 2018 and slated for release on November 8, 2019.

IMDB does already list Craig for the role, although noted as “rumored.” Neal Purvis and Robert Wade are credited with the screenplay based on the characters created by Ian Fleming.

Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson are listed as producers, with Gregg Wilson as associate producer.